The holiday season is a wonderful time of year in the Sandhills, and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex celebrates in a special way – with an old-fashioned holiday jubilee, complete with carolers, Victorian décor and a lot of family-friendly fun. It’s a one-day-only event, but one visitors will surely remember for years to come. Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1-5 p.m., the museum opens the 1897 Poe House and showcases local history and traditions from a bygone era for its visitors. It’s free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

 “We do this event every year, and it is our kickoff to the holidays,” said Megan Maxwell, education coordinator of the Poe House. “This year, we are having a free concert. We first started it as a Victorian Christmas to let people experience what Christmastime would have been like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”

 She noted that people enjoy the experience, and many have added the museum to their list of Christmas traditions, returning year after year to celebrate the holidays in a unique and meaningful way.

 The jubilee features the Cross Creek Chordsmen and the Coventry Carolers. The Coventry Carolers are a staple at this event, adding a touch of nostalgia to an already sentimental day. The group will perform on the front porch of the Poe House at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

 “We will have hot cookies and cider along with a cooking demonstration on our 1902 woodburning stove,” said Maxwell. “We also have Santa Clause at the event, so parents can bring their kids to visit with Santa and take their own pictures free of charge.”

 While the jubilee on Dec. 3 is the perfect time to come experience a Victorian-era Eastern Carolina Christmas, the 1897 Poe House will be decorated for Christmas and open for tours from Tuesday, Nov. 21– Sunday, Jan. 7. To view tour times and learn more, visit www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/1897-poe-house.

 “We normally do a Victorian Christmas theme, which includes a lot of traditional greenery – that is pine, holly and magnolia – which is what they would have used at the time,” said Maxwell. “We do our Christmas trees with a Victorian theme, but this year we are doing a patriotic spin on it because we are honoring the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I.” Maxwell added that the trees will have red, white and blue decorations along with other items typical of a Christmas in 1917 after the United States entered the war.

 “Come out and join us for holiday music, Christmasdecorations, food and fun,” said Maxwell.“This is a fun time to see the Poe House in a morefestive, relaxed atmosphere.”

 Admission to the Holiday Jubilee is free, and the event is open to the public. For more information, call (910) 486-1330.